CoNE launches International Testing Week -2023
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 20 2023:
Focusing on increasing awareness and access to testing, diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis B and C, Community Network for Empowerment (CoNE) in association with National Viral hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP), Manipur on Monday launched the International Testing Week - 2023 with a leaflet distribution campaign marking the programme.
Conducted under the theme "We Get Tested", this year the International Testing Week is being organised in 52 countries under the joint aegis of Coalition PLUS and Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) along with the partnered organisations of Coalition PLUS.
In Manipur too, Community Network for Empowerment (CoNE), which is the South Asia - Southeast Asia (SASEA) platform partner of the event, is organising the campaign in collaboration with NVHCP and National Health Mission, Manipur.
SASEA is an internationally recognised non-governmental organisation (NGO) focussing on key populations and care for people living with HIV and viral hepatitis within South Asian and Southeast Asian countries.
As part of the week-long campaign, CoNE, on Monday, conducted a'leaflet distribution campaign at different parts of Imphal carrying the message of early testing, diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis B and C.International Testing Week was launched by Coalition PLUS in 2020 to encourage increased testing efforts and create awareness about benefits of early testing and linkage to care.
The Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC), a member organisation of Coalition PLUS, was given the honour tp host the 4th edition of International Testing Week from November 20, 2023, at various locations in Malaysia, with the main celebration taking place at the nation's capital, Kuala Lumpur.
The event aims to increase awareness regarding the benefits of early testing for HIV, viral hepatitis, STIs and NCDs so that more people get aware about risks of these diseases, availability of effective treatment and understand own status.
As part of the campaign, CoNE in collaboration with NVHCP will conduct HBV and HCV screening, diagnosis and treatment and HBV vaccination camps at different parts of the state including for inmates of Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa, along with drug de-addiction centres, Oral Substitution Therapy (OST) sites run by the state government and other private rehabilitation centres located in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal and Bishnupur districts.
All the patients who test positive during the testing campaign will be linked for further diagnosis and treatment under the national programme through the respective treatment centres.
Moreover, those who are found HBsAg negative will be administered HBV vaccine at the spot.